disaster zone midwives

ABOUT THE PROJECT "In much of the world, the most dangerous thing a woman can do is become pregnant." - Nicholas Kristof, New York Times.
Arabelle is 20 years old and expecting her first child. The baby’s father died in Typhoon Yolanda, the largest storm to ever hit landfall, destroying the central Philippine Islands in November 2013. Arabelle clung to the top of a coconut tree to save herself. She lives with her 10 siblings and parents in a makeshift one-room home. Arabelle will give birth at Bumi Wadah, a non-profit birthing clinic established after the storm by internationally recognized midwife Robin Lim to provide free pre-natal and maternity care.
I went to the clinic to document how women like Arabelle are affected by climate change. As in other developing countries, women in the Philippines bear a disproportional burden as climate change impacts their environment. It is in the daily lives of these women—who are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood—that the battle to save the family, traditional ways of life and the future of their children is played out.
Millions of women and girls of reproductive age are still in need of urgent care and protection. An estimated 230,000 pregnant women live in affected areas, while over 800 women, often malnourished and suffering dehydration, high blood pressure, extreme trauma, inadequate shelter and lack of transportation give birth every day.
What surprised me most was witnessing how—in the middle of a disaster zone under that hot canvas tent—birth can still be such an empowering and ennobling event and I saw more compassion, empowerment and beauty than ever before.
Learn more about Bumi Sehat Foundation
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CREATIVE SERVICES Photography, Written Article, Marketing material for Bumi Sehat Foundation
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